Patents by Inventor Kathleen A. O'Brien

Kathleen A. O'Brien has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6651071
    Abstract: An educational institution requires that each student demonstrate proficiency in a plurality of abilities in order to receive a degree. A database is employed to store a portfolio of information evidencing each student's work related to those abilities. A user interface is provided to selectively present information from the portfolio in a plurality of formats, thereby enabling a student or a faculty member to evaluate the student's progress toward mastering the abilities and associated knowledge in order to make informed plans for improvement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Alverno College
    Inventors: Kathleen A. O'Brien, Georgine Loacker, Linda A. Ehley, L. Kelly Talley, Robert F. O'Brien Hokanson, Mary E. Diez, William H. Rickards
  • Patent number: 5911235
    Abstract: A glide, preferably self retaining, for the lower end of each rear leg of a walker. The device substantially reduces forward drag or resistance to walker sliding movement over a support substrate such as carpet, hard floors, concrete, ground and like, while simultaneously increasing resistance to side ways or lateral slippage. The device includes a stationary or fixed member which engages with and receives support from each walker leg lower end and includes a support shaft orientated at an acute angle of preferably about fifteen degrees (15.degree.) to the central axis of the leg. A ground engaging member is held on the support shaft for rotation only and has a lower exterior contoured ground engaging surface which, in combination with the acute angle, makes contact with the support substrate laterally from the central axis of the leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Inventors: Richard E. Henderson, Kathleen O'Brien
  • Patent number: 5573213
    Abstract: A self-retaining glide for the lower end of each leg of a walker. Preferably installed onto each rear leg of the walker, the device decreases forward drag while substantially increasing resistance to sideways or lateral movement by providing a plurality of downwardly facing or extending parallel ground, floor and carpet engaging fins. These fins are a molded part of an elongated main member which also includes one and preferably two spaced apart tubular supports for retaining the device in proper position on the leg lower end. In the preferred embodiment, the combination of snugly fitting tubular supports on the leg and resilient flexing of a semi-rigid central portion of the main member from a flat to a U-shape securely maintains the fins in a fore/aft orientation with respect to the walker after proper installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Inventors: Richard E. Henderson, Kathleen O'Brien